The transport department expressed its concern over the number of accidents taking place in the city roads and has decided to make helmets mandatory for women pillion riders. Although Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act made this law compulsory for all (riders and pillion riders), but after 1993 following protest of Sikhs, it got delayed. The exemption had been granted on religious grounds after protests by Sikh women. But presently, the department has sought the permission from the Election Commission of India for issuing a gazette notification for making it mandatory for women pillion riders to wear the gear.

Central Government
researched on road safety and found the safety of women pillion
riders wanting. This prompted the initiation of such a sensitive
issue. Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung has already given a green
signal, permitting transport department to go ahead with its
proposal.

In
Focus

Women pillion riders are
looking forward and appreciating the initiative of transport
department. Juhi Sharma, student of Delhi University said,
?Helmets are your protective gear. Whether girl or boy, everybody
needs safety so it is a good move that even girls will have to wear a
helmet now. Meanwhile, Reuben Chauhan, MBA student of Amity
University also applauded the cause, "It's a good decision as it
will instill better driving habits among people on the whole."

Swati Rathore,
Journalism student showed her concern toward increasing rate of
accidents and stated, ?Making helmets compulsory will redeem the
increasing number of accidents and make women to ride safely on
roads. And if it get approved then it will divulge the
thought of equality in society.?

While many supported the
view, there were few women, who protested loudly against the ruling.
One corporate woman, who drives with her husband as a pillion rider
says, '' Do you the kind of time goes into making hair? Being in the
Human Resource department, there is no place for slack. And wearing a
helmet means going to office and spending another good half and hour
in the washroom.'' While this might sound shallow to many, but there
are quite a few, who agree with her. Safety is secondary to them.